A WEE COUNTY youngster has taken a huge step in his football career after signing for Hibs.

Leyton Williams signed a professional contract with the club's youth academy last Wednesday, January 22 – one week after his 10th birthday.

The youngster, who has played for Alloa since he was four, was invited to Easter Road and saw the Edinburgh club win 2-1 after being 1-0 down against Hamilton.

Leyton watched the match from the stands with 11 other boys and signed after the game before his first training session this week.

He began training once a week with Hibs back in March last year and then in May training sessions were upped to three times a week.

In August, he travelled to Preston to play in a friendly tournament against English sides and impressed the coaches.

Now that he has put pen to paper, he's eager to get started and his dad Brian could hardly contain his pride.

Brian said: "Right from the get-go, the Hibs coaches were excellent.

"Leyton has just went from strength-to-strength.

"He's got a great work ethic so it won't faze him at all, he just gets his head down and gets on with it."

When Leyton first began training with Hibs he played as a left winger; however, the club repositioned him to a full-back before the Preston tournament and he's flourished in the new role.

The coaches explained how the boys will be training twice a week.

A further session will be dedicated to fitness, as the jump in standards requires a greater level of commitment, something Brian knows the St Serf's pupil will take in his stride.

He said: "If he wants to play at that standard he knows the commitments; he's already missed a family party for football so he knows what's required.

"The train of thought is: 'I love my football, so I'm not missing out'.

"He's loving it so far."

The three 100-mile round trips to training each week will be split between Brian, mum Kimberly and Leyton's grandad and the whole family are proud of the commitment the youngster is willing to make.

"Seeing how hard he's worked for it you can't help but be proud," Brian added.

"I'm just happy he's enjoying his football, whether it's playing for Hibs or a kickabout down the park – I'm happy seeing him happy.

"There's absolutely no pressure, I just want him to enjoy his football."